Lee Theatre To Present “Lessons”

An original theatre production written by Dan Buck and Lee University theatre students, “Lessons” will run Feb. 14-18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Edna Minor Conn Theatre.

Directed by Mr. Buck, assistant professor of theatre at Lee, Lessons follows the lives of four unique individuals who are all taking music lessons with the same teacher. As they wrestle with their respective instruments, they also find themselves entangled with obstacles to true joy in their lives.

With Lessons, Lee Theatre explored devised theatre for the first time. Five students were commissioned in the summer of 2012 to collaborate with Buck in the creation of a piece of theatre from scratch. The group’s efforts formed non-traditional narrative structure, music and projections to convey the overlapping stories and ideas.

The play is centered around music, specifically by Jillian Spears of the local band The Mailboxes. Five original songs were written for Lessons.

Along with Mr. Buck, the playwrights include students Michael Bachman, Natalie Brouwer, Jordan Davis, Jillian Spears and Jonathan Swindle.

“I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so much talent, and I can’t say enough how much the students’ work and contributions have made this play stronger and made me a better artist,” said Mr. Buck. “[‘Lessons’] has a lot of levity, but it is a highly personal work for the writers and cast.”

In addition to the 14-student cast, Mr. Buck’s nine-year-old son, Isaac, will make a brief appearance in the play.

The EMC theatre is located on the third floor of the Vest Building. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and students and are available at the Dixon Center Box Office from 3-6 p.m.

For more information you may call the Box Office at 614-8343, email theatre@leeuniversity.edu, or visit www.leeuniversity.edu/theatre.edu. Fans can also join the Facebook page Lee University Theatre.

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